Alterations of erythrocyte antioxidant mechanisms: antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation and serum trace elements associated with anemia in bovine tropical theileriosis

In order to investigate the alterations of erythrocyte protective antioxidant mechanisms, lipid peroxidation and trace elements associated with anemia in bovine tropical theileriosis, an infected group comprised of 50 crossbred Holstein cattle, about 1-2 years old, naturally infected with Theileria annulata, were divided into 4 subgroups according to their parasitemia rates (<1%, 1-3%, 3-5%, >5%) and also 10 healthy cattle as control were selected. Blood samples were taken and hematological parameters, the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase and serum concentrations of some antioxidant trace elements (copper, iron, zinc, manganese and selenium) were measured. As an index of lipid peroxidation, the level of Malondialdehyde (MDA) was also determined. The results showed a conspicuous decrease in the activities of SOD, GPX and catalase (P<0.01), and a significant decrease in the serum concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mn and Se in cattle with higher than 1% parasitemia (P<0.05) compared to the control. In addition, remarkable elevations in the MDA level (P<0.01) and serum concentration of iron (P<0.05) were observed in the infected animals. These findings pointed to the occurrence of exacerbating oxidative injuries to erythrocytes during parasitemia. Furthermore, it can be concluded that infection with T. annulata can interfere with protective antioxidant mechanisms of RBCs against oxidative damages, which promote the development of anemia.     

Effect of Monensin on Serum Lipoproteins, Triglycerides, Cholesterol and Total Lipids of Periparturient Dairy Cows

Serum concentrations of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), triglycerides, cholesterol, and total lipids of a group of monensin-treated cows (n = 7) were compared with those of a control group (n = 6) from about 10 days before calving to 45 days postpartum. Monensin was fed in the diet from about 20 days before predicted calving date to 45 days after parturition. Blood samples were obtained on days 20 and 10 before predicted calving, and on days 4, 15, 25 (phase I), and days 35 and 45 (phase II) post calving. Cholesterol (p = 0.046) and total lipids (p = 0.003) were lower in the treatment group 10 days before calving. Concentrations of serum triglycerides and VLDL (p = 0.017), and that of LDL (p = 0.032) were significantly higher in the treatment group in phase I postpartum. No significant difference was detected between groups during phase II. Comparison of the entire length of the trial showed higher concentrations of triglycerides and VLDL in the treatment group (p = 0.009). It is concluded that monensin is effective in increasing secretion of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from the liver during the postpartum transition period of dairy cows. This may be effective in reducing the intensity of hepatic lipidosis and the incidence of periparturient diseases resulting from disturbances in energy metabolism.     

Physiological response of dromedary camels to road transportation in relation to circulating levels of cortisol,thyroid hormones and some serum biochemical parameters

Transportation is often considered as one of the main causes of stress raising considerable interest, both in economic and animal welfare terms. The objective of the current study was to determine physiological response of dromedary camels to road transportation in relation to circulating levels of cortisol, thyroid hormones and some serum biochemical factors during summer conditions. Ten Iranian dromedary camels, five males and five females, were selected for the study. The study was conducted on three consecutive days in August 2008. At first day, blood samples were collected at 08:30 a.m., 09:30 a.m. and 01:30 p.m. to determine any possible variation in individual measurements due to diurnal changes or as a result of food and water deprivation for 5 h. Travel commenced on day 2 at 08:30 a.m. for 5 h, with a total of about 300 km traveled. At second day, blood samples were collected immediately before loading, at 08:30 a.m., after 1 h transport, at 09:30 a.m., and on the end of transportation, after unloading, at 01:30 p.m. Final blood sample was taken 24 h after arrival. In the current study no significant difference was observed in any parameter between sexes at each sampling time. The data related to day before transport had no significant differences between different times except for values obtained for cortisol that at 01:30 p.m. showed a significant decrease in comparison with data at 08:30 and 09:30. Circulating cortisol, T₄, T₃ and fT₄ levels was significantly higher after transportation compared with pre-transport values and returned to basal values within 24 h after transport. Transportation had effects on metabolism as demonstrated by increase in serum concentrations of glucose, NEFA, and urea nitrogen. Serum concentrations of glucose, NEFA, and urea nitrogen returned to basal values in final bleeding at 24 h after transport termination. In the current study transportation had no significant effects on serum concentrations of fT₃, triglycerides, cholesterol, β-hydroxybutyrate, albumin and total protein. Taken together, the results obtained for short road transportation of dromedary camels showed a strong physiological response and provide some biomarkers for stress detection in this species. Further research to validate these potential biomarkers is necessary.     

Evaluation of cellular and biochemical parameters of blood and peritoneal fluid following exploratory laparotomy in the goat

To evaluate the effects of exploratory laparotomy on cellular and biochemical parameters of blood and peritoneal fluid, an experiment was conducted using 10 Iranian cross-bred male goats. Approximately 10 ml of blood and 1-1.5 ml of peritoneal fluid were collected from all animals prior to operation for estimation of control values. Exploratory laparotomy was performed under local analgesia. Blood and peritoneal fluid samples were collected at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after exploratory laparotomy. The results revealed that after exploratory laparotomy, the number of white blood cells and the percentage and absolute number of neutrophils and band neutrophils significantly increased (P < 0.05). However, the percentage of lymphocytes decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The concentrations of blood urea nitrogen significantly increased (P < 0.05). Furthermore, following the operation, the percentage and absolute number of neutrophils in the peritoneal fluid significantly increased (P < 0.05). In contrast, the percentage of lymphocytes in the peritoneal fluid decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The concentration of protein in the peritoneal fluid increased significantly (P < 0.05).     

Acute phase response in cattle infected with Anaplasma marginale

This study was undertaken to evaluate the acute phase responses via the assessment of the concentration of serum sialic acids (total, lipid bound and protein bound), inflammatory mediators (IFN-γ and TNF-α) and acute phase proteins (Hp and SAA) in 20 adult crossbred cattle naturally infected by Anaplasma marginale. The infected animals were divided into 2 subgroups on the basis of parasitemia rate (<20% and >20%). Also, as a control group, 10 clinically healthy cattle from the same farms were sampled. Our data revealed significant decreases in red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrite (PCV) and hemoglobine (Hb) in infected cattle compared to healthy ones. Conversely, the concentrations of Hp, SAA, ceruloplasmin, fibrinogen, serum sialic acids and the circulatory IFN-γ and TNF-α were increased in the diseased cattle (P<0.05). In addition, it was evident that the progression of parasitemia in infected cattle did not induce any significant alterations in the hematological indices (RBCs, PCV and Hb) and the concentrations of Hp, SAA, ceruloplasmin and fibrinogen. SAA was the most sensitive factor to change in the diseased cattle. Therefore, increase in SAA concentration may be a good indicator of inflammatory process in cattle naturally infected with Anaplasma marginale.     

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the causative agent of hemoplasma infection in small Indian Mongoose (Herpestes Javanicus)

Hemoplasmas are the trivial name for a group of erythrocyte-parasitizing bacteria of the genus Mycoplasma. This study is the first report of hemoplasma infection in Small Indian Mongoose (Herpestes Javanicus) based on molecular analysis of 16S rDNA. Whole blood samples were collected by sterile methods, from 14 live captured mongooses, in the south of Iran.     

Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins in Clinically Healthy Male Camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of 87 Iranian male dromedary camels of different age groups (<3, 3–5, 5–6 and 6–8 years). Variations in the serum concentrations of cholesterol, triglyceride, total lipid, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-cholesterol), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-cholesterol) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol) were investigated. The concentrations of cholesterol, triglyceride, total lipid, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol in the different age groups were significantly different (p<0.05). With an increase in the age of the animals, there were highly significant increases in the cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol concentrations, whereas the concentration of LDL-cholesterol decreased (p<0.001).     

The correlations among serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and sialic acids with peripheral lymphocytes in bovine tropical theileriosis

The infection with protozoan parasite Theileria annulata induces changes triggering the activation and/or proliferation of the host lymphocytes. In order to find out the possible correlations among peripheral circulatory lymphocytes, cytokine activities and the level of sialic acids, 50 dairy Holstein cattle, naturally infected with T. annulata, were divided into 4 subgroups according to their parasitemia rates (<1%, 1–3%, 3–5% and >5%). Also, ten non-infected cattle were sampled as control group. Blood samples were taken from jugular vein into acid citrate dextrose-containing tubes for measuring hematological parameters and B and T (CD₄ and CD₈) cell populations and without anticoagulant for TNF-α, IFN-γ and sialic acid concentrations. Remarkable decreases observed in red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and packed cell volume (PCV) in infected cattle compared to healthy ones (P < 0.05). Also, with increase in parasitemia rate, total lymphocytes and monocytes alleviated in the diseased groups. By contrast, total neutrohpils and the concentrations of TNF-α, IFN-γ and total sialic acids were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) in infected animals. Accordingly, the circulatory populations of CD₄ and CD₈ T cells and B cells showed a substantial decrease, while a significant increase was observed in T (CD₄ and CD₈) cells in cattle infected with <1% parasitemia rates. Decreased circulatory T cell population shows the ineffective responses of T cells to the stimulatory cytokines such as IFN-γ or TNF-α. On the other hand, the elevation of cytokines (particularly IFN-γ) and sialic acids have presumably an inhibitory role on circulatory B cell population in infected cattle. In addition, a high level of sialic acid concentration indicates the probable role of sialic acid to regulate the parasite-host cell adhesion during sporozoites invasion.